Organizing Principles

We wage our campaign based on the following principles:

1. Our campaign is not an isolated one and we are part of a larger movement for climate justice and a sustainable world. The climate justice movement strives to combat climate change and the inequities that exist between those who are responsible and those who are most negatively affected. As such, in addition to running our campaign we will support efforts of others working in the movement and action to combat the problems that intersect with climate change including racism, inequality and poverty.

2. Divestment is important both because of the fossil fuel industry’s leading role in causing climate change and also because of the harm committed directly on communities where the fuels are extracted and refined.

3. The University of Pennsylvania has significant influence as an institution and this power should be used ethically. It is inherent that an ethical institution would use its influence to combat climate change.

4. We will work to build a support base among students, faculty, and alumni. We will win by raising awareness and building power among the Penn community around divestment and reinvestment as tactics in the struggle for climate justice.